Effective May 24, Eric Gerard Parsons is joining Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, Wash., in the newly created position of director of community engagement, where his focus will be "outreach, and response, to organizations and individuals in the community regarding issues and discussions of social justice, inclusion, equal access and safety, and facilitating the bookstore's involvement as appropriate. He will also take the lead in developing and implementing programs to increase diversity at the store."
Parsons has worked in the public and nonprofit sectors on programs to provide essential services, access and opportunity to disenfranchised people in many settings. Among the organizations he has served are the City of New York, the National Urban League, Seattle Office of Economic Development and the Seattle City Council.
In announcing the appointment, owner Peter Aaron said in part, "Events of the past year, both in Seattle and around the country, make clear the urgency of the need to spotlight, and begin to correct and redress, long-festering issues of institutionalized racism, discriminatory policing, deprivation of resources and failure of political will and moral courage to deal with the humanitarian crisis of homelessness, to name but a few of the inveterate issues of social injustice entrenched in our culture. While the bookstore as an institution has never taken sides in political matters, these intractable problems are at essence matters of clear right and wrong, and I am convinced that it is not only appropriate--but necessary--for the bookstore to be actively engaged in the community's efforts to identify, and attempt to enact, solutions. In the process of developing the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Book Workers Union has expressed a strong desire for the bookstore to take an active role in these matters, a stance with which I am in agreement; and while the bookstore has a long history--especially through Rick [Simonson] and Karen [Maeda Allman]'s efforts--of engaging with and providing platforms for diverse communities of interest, the creation of a senior executive position to lead the bookstore's efforts to participate in creative solutions should be seen for what it is: a dedication to being a direct and active participant in making our community a fairer, safer and more accepting place for everyone to live and thrive."